As Earth Day quickly approaches, the folks in my department are preparing for what should prove to be a great week to celebrate the environment in North Carolina.
Since April 22, 1970, Americans have joined together on Earth Day to recognize our natural resources and raise awareness about how we all have a responsibility to protect the environment.
In the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources, we are inviting everyone to events from the mountains to the coast.
On April 18, please join us at the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher in celebrating Earth Day at Hugh MacRae Park in Wilmington from noon to 6 p.m. For the past three years, the aquarium has participated in the event by organizing the Kids’ EcoZone. Children of all ages are invited to join numerous activities and crafts provided by area organizations that celebrate the environment. Learn more at http://www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher.
People can also come to the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island to see Atlanta-based puppeteer Lee Bryan. He uses puppets and performs magic tricks and sings tunes with a theme geared toward recycling, air pollution, preserving rainforests and other environmental concerns. Performances are free with paid admission. For more information, check out http://www.ncaquariums.com/.
On April 18-19, the N.C. Zoo in Asheboro will host games, crafts, a biodiesel display, a tree-seedling giveaway, a can and bottle exchange and other environmentally-friendly events. For more information, check out www.nczoo.org/events/calendar.html.
On April 18, folks can head to downtown Raleigh for the second annual Planet Earth Celebration. The event will be from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Bicentennial Plaza at 1 East Edenton St. The event will include hands-on lessons and demonstrations on practical ways to restore the environment and games to teach you about environmentally-friendly goods and services. For more information, go to www.planetearthcelebration.com.
On April 19, the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher will host the Seahorse Sprint, a 5K race for the planet. Also, you can sign up your children for a salt marsh and crabbing expedition. More information is available at http://www.ncaquariums.com/5k-race-for-the-planet-seahorse-sprint.
On Earth Day (April 22), come on out to beautiful Lake James State Park in McDowell County and check out a “Get Outside Kit.” Each kit contains the supplies for five nature activities for children and adults. These simple activities will help your understanding of the natural world. For more information, visit http://web.eenorthcarolina.org/net/org/info.aspx?s=44804.0.0.37430.
I encourage you to join us for any of these great events and remember we all have to do our part to protect and preserve our precious environment and natural resources.